We are lucky to have a number of museums in Oxfordshire located in various towns around the county. Each provides an important place for learning, often through interactive experiences, which can inspire individuals of all ages. Museums and their artefacts bring the past to life and engage our imagination when we can view the items they hold. Local museums play a crucial role in preserving and safeguarding valuable objects from the past for future generations to gain an understanding of events or cultural history. Museums can provide important community hubs, bringing people together for various events and exhibitions and they can also bring visitors to the town, contributing to the local economy.
One of the local museums in South Oxfordshire is the Vale & Downland Museum at 19 Church St, Wantage OX12 8BL However this much loved cornerstone of the town is facing an uncertain future due to rising costs across the board. With increased staffing costs and utility bills they urgently need to raise their annual income to survive. They have already installed solar panels to try to reduce costs and have made changes as to how they run their coffee shop. Unless they get extra financial support, more difficult changes may follow.
As a consequence, the Vale & Downland Museum has launched their ‘Fundraising 50 Appeal’ to try to secure the museum’s future. But why fifty? The idea of a museum for Wantage began in 1958 when the Urban District Council made an appeal for objects to form a town collection. The response was so positive that in the 1960s the growing collection was housed in the Civic Hall, and then the Victoria Cross Gallery in Wantage Market Place. In 1972 the Vale & Downland Museum Trust was formed. The Trust persuaded the Vale of White Horse District Council, newly formed in 1974, to buy the Old Surgery building and lease it to the trust. Initial conversion works were carried out and the museum moved into the Old Surgery in 1975.
Over the past fifty years the museum has had some fantastic successes. Establishing the museum called for a huge community effort with people generously giving their labour, resources and time to create a fantastic local facility. Now the museum needs your financial support to help it survive for another 50 years.
The ‘Fundraising 50 Appeal’ offers options for all budgets.
These include:
VDM 100 Club:
This is a fantastic way of supporting the museum, with the chance to win a cash prize in their regular draws throughout the year. For a payment of £5 per month, you will be allocated a number and be in with the chance to win! £50 draws will take place monthly, with an additional bonus £100 draw in December. Payment and T’s and C’s on their website.
Patron’s Scheme:
Offering three levels of patronage: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
• Bronze: £25 per month, £300 per year. You will receive an E-newsletter, invite to an annual patrons event, join the Donor Board, receive website acknowledgement.
• Silver: £60 per month, £720 per year. You will receive an E-newsletter, invite to an annual patrons event, join the Donor Board, receive website acknowledgement, adult lectures and shop discount
• Gold: £200 per month, £2400+ annually. You will receive an E-newsletter, invite to an annual patrons event, join the Donor Board, receive website acknowledgement, adult lectures and shop discount, exclusive use of the museum once per annum.
Sponsorship:
Three different bands of sponsorship opportunities are available including sponsorship of galleries, displays and activities. All sponsorship will go directly to supporting the ongoing running of the museum. Your support will be acknowledged within the gallery/publicity related to the event/activity.
If you cannot support the museum financially, please spread the word about their ‘Fundraising 50 Appeal’. To find out more visit valeanddownlandmuseum.org.uk/fifty-years-appeal
